TRANS: a must see movie showing soon in Albany (A Byrgen/Renate post)

In the magical world of Tulip, the Birthday Wish Fairy, Tulip was responsible for granting children’s wishes, including having everyone understand that transgender children’s gender does not match their birth sex and having them accept the children’s brain gender.

One of the tools Tulip uses is “Clear Sight Sparkles” put on toothbrushes which brings a shower of understanding!

TRANS the movie, is the adult version of Clear Sight Sparkles. And it will be playing at The Linda, as part of the Food for Thought series, on Sept 19th.

TRANS follows several transgender individuals (ages 7 to 50-something) and tells their stories and the stories of those close to them over a period of time.

The movie includes an up-close and very personal journey into the memorable stories and the unusual lives of remarkable cast of characters.

It includes the story of Lt. Commander Christopher McGinn, a Navy flight surgeon selected by NASA to serve on two space missions.

Upon discharge from the armed forces, Chris McGinn set out upon a different mission…from which she was never to return. Dr. Christine McGinn tells her own amazing story and provides an intimate look into the complex and dramatic
world that is TRANS.

This movie offers a rare opportunity to look into the daily lives of transgender individuals of different ages and from different backgrounds and walks of life.

It will be difficult for anyone to watch this movie without experiencing an “aha” moment that goes something like this, “Transgender people aren’t so different.”

Why should you see the movie? Why should you care about transgender people?

There are an estimated 6 to 15 million transgender people in the US. That’s between 2% to 5% of the population (314 million in 2012).

The majority of transgender people (63% or between 3.8 – 9.5 million) have experienced serious discrimination — events that would have a major impact on a person’s quality of life and ability to sustain themselves financially or emotionally – for no other reason than being transgender.

No fewer than 41% of transgender people have attempted suicide; the rate in the general population is 1.6%.

We do not have statistics for transgender people who succeed at suicide, because sadly, there is generally no one to speak for them.

Why choose death?

Because rejection and discrimination make life unbearable for far too many transgender individuals.

We are diminished as a society when we permit this to continue.

As Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and they is us.”

So please, join us at The Linda on Thursday, September 19th; food and music at 6 p.m.; movie at 7 p.m.; panel discussion which includes producer Dr. Mark Schoen following the movie.

Knowledge is power.

See the movie; gain understanding; and decide how you will use your newfound power to help make the world a better place.